As TRU celebrates National Apprenticeship Week, the halfway mark has already been surpassed in its aim to take on 590 apprentices across the entire duration of the programme.
Since 2019, 346 apprentices have been employed on TRU, with
apprenticeships embedded in almost every facet of the programme. From engineering to sustainability and from project management to construction, apprentices are integral to the day-to-day operations of TRU – a multi-billion-pound railway programme that will transform journeys across the North.230 of the 346 apprentices are classed as new entrants, meaning an apprenticeship with TRU is their first employed role – evidence that the programme is placing plenty of trust in early career professionals. There are also 43 upskill apprentices, who are existing employees that are taking the opportunity to upskill and further their career through an apprenticeship.
David Bassett, Apprentice & Graduate Programmes Manager for TRU, said:
“This week serves as the perfect moment for us to reflect on the progress we’ve made in our recruitment of ambitious, driven apprentices and the impact they are having on not just TRU, but the industry as a whole, given the size of the programme.
“To have passed the halfway mark of our overall target at this point is a huge milestone, and we’d encourage anyone that is considering an apprenticeship to see what the Transpennine Route Upgrade has on offer.
“To apply for an apprenticeship and view further information, please visit https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/vacancies/”
A newer aspect of TRU’s approach to apprenticeships is the PlanBEE Rail scheme, a unique higher apprenticeship programme designed to recruit and develop the next generation of project managers. The first cohort was launched back in September 2024.
The initiative has been developed by Network Rail, its supply chain partners, NSAR and Gateshead College, with options to work on a variety of rail projects across Yorkshire – TRU being one of them. There are eight apprentices currently with TRU as part of PlanBEE Rail.
Leah Allen, a PlanBEE Rail apprentice for TRU, said:
“The opportunity to gain hands on experience whilst working towards a recognised qualification really attracted me to this scheme.
“My favourite aspect of the apprenticeship so far has been the constant opportunities to meet and connect with a range of incredible people within the industry.”
Following the success of the first cohort, PlanBEE Rail will launch again in September 2025 with a new group of apprentices and in line with National Apprenticeship Week, applications for September are now open.
During the two-year programme, based across Yorkshire, apprentices will undertake four six-month placements across the rail industry.
For further details on the scheme and to apply for a PlanBEE Rail role, please visit https://www.gateshead.ac.uk/courses/planbee/planbee-rail/
A key part of TRU’s sustainability strategy – Our Guiding Compass – is to deliver Northern jobs. By the end of the programme, the aim is to have created 4,000 new roles and safeguard another 4,000, of which 20% will be from underrepresented groups to create a diverse team that reflects the communities in which we operate in.
The recruitment of all 346 apprentices has contributed to that aim, which also includes plans to ensure that 60% of the project workforce are employed from within 25 miles of the route and 80% within 40 miles.
To view Our Guiding Compass in full, head to https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/ourguidingcompass/
Notes to Editors
TRU will bring passengers:
• More trains to choose from and more seats. Our improvements will enable more
trains to run between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York with up to six fast
services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping
services for local connectivity.
• Faster journeys so you can travel to your favourite towns and cities more quickly.
Our fastest journey times are forecast to be 63-66 minutes between Manchester
and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
• More reliable journeys with trains that run on-time
• Better stations across the Transpennine route, bringing passengers a better travel
experience through improved, more accessible stations
• Greener travel, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality. Our plans
aim to save up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – supporting the
government’s Net Zero objectives. We’re also developing a proposal to move more
goods by rail (up to 15 more freight trains each day.)
• Together, these freight trains are expected to remove over 1,000 lorries off the road each day.
TRU will bring local communities:
• Jobs for local people. Our workforce will be local, with 80% employment from
within a 40-mile radius of the route, and 60% employment from within a 25-mile
radius. With a current workforce of around 2000 people, we estimate that could
double over the course of the programme. We’ll employ an apprentice for every
£4million spent.
• Improved natural environments near the railway through 10% biodiversity net
gain across the route. This will create or enhance habitats for wildlife.
The multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) will bring this line into the
21st century with 70-miles of fully electric, digital railway. Our plans include:
• Electrifying the whole route between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and
Leeds
• Installing a new digital signalling system along the Transpennine route
• Doubling the number of tracks from two to four between Huddersfield and
Westtown in Dewsbury.
• Station improvements along the route to enhance customer experience, comfort
and accessibility
• Improving the railway on diversionary routes to allow more trains to run, to help
keep passengers and freight moving while the core Transpennine route is closed to
deliver essential upgrades. This will provide capacity and reliability improvements
for future too.
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